Back to EveryPatent.com
United States Patent |
6,018,117
|
Harrison
,   et al.
|
January 25, 2000
|
Device for familiarizing a child with a musical instrument
Abstract
A device for familiarizing a child with a keyboard of a musical instrument
and for familiarizing a child with musical concepts. The device comprises
at least two blocks, each block having a top face which comprises indicia
resembling at least one of the keys of the keyboard. All of the blocks
have indicia resembling the white keys of a piano keyboard, and some of
the blocks have indicia resembling at least one of the black keys of a
piano keyboard.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the device is further comprised
of a base having at least one raised projection and/or one indentation for
fitting within a corresponding indentation or projection in at least one
of the blocks.
In another embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the blocks
has an indentation and another of the blocks has a raised projection for
fitting around the indentation. In this embodiment, the blocks can be
assembled without a base.
Inventors:
|
Harrison; Joyce I. (Ridgefield, CT);
Harrison; Michael W. (Ridgefield, CT)
|
Assignee:
|
Joymas Inc. (Ridgefield, CT)
|
Appl. No.:
|
090517 |
Filed:
|
June 4, 1998 |
Current U.S. Class: |
84/470R; 84/476 |
Intern'l Class: |
G09B 015/00 |
Field of Search: |
84/423 R,470 R,476
434/227
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
D255370 | Jun., 1980 | Hayama et al.
| |
D322640 | Dec., 1991 | Billings.
| |
D355923 | Feb., 1995 | Slater.
| |
D355924 | Feb., 1995 | Slater.
| |
1284400 | Nov., 1918 | McQuat.
| |
1431529 | Oct., 1922 | De La Parelle.
| |
2236638 | Apr., 1941 | Adams.
| |
3130627 | Apr., 1964 | Aaron.
| |
3750524 | Aug., 1973 | Lee et al.
| |
3982463 | Sep., 1976 | Waters, Jr.
| |
4736665 | Apr., 1988 | Sorribes Arambul.
| |
4924743 | May., 1990 | Tsai.
| |
Primary Examiner: Donels; Jeffrey
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Ware Fressola Van Der Sluys & Adolphson LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A device for familiarizing a child with musical concepts and with a
keyboard of a musical instrument embodying said concepts comprising:
a base having a primary-top surface and a raised projection extending
upward from the primary-top surface;
at least one first block and at least one second block, each block having a
first-bottom base-engaging face and a second-top face, wherein each first
block has an indentation on the first-bottom face, the indentation
corresponding to and shaped for removable engagement to fit over one said
raised projection for positioning the first block on the base, and the
second-top faces of the first block and the second block each have a means
for resembling at least one of the keys of a keyboard of said musical
instrument.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the means for resembling at least one of
the keys of a keyboard of a musical instrument on the second-top faces
comprises a white colored surface resembling a white key of a piano
keyboard.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein the means for resembling at least one of
the keys of a keyboard of a musical instrument on at least one of the
second-top faces comprises a raised finger-rib resembling a black key of a
piano keyboard.
4. The device of claim 1, further comprising indicia displayed on the base
and indicating the identification of notes of the musical instrument for
indicating the proper position of each said first block and each said
second block.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the base has a raised rim-edge for
assisting in properly positioning the first block and the second block.
6. The device of claim 1, including a plurality of said first blocks shaped
for laterally arrayed engagement along said primary top surface resembling
the keyboard of said musical instrument, and a corresponding plurality of
said raised projections respectively engaging the indentations of said
plurality of first blocks positioning said first blocks in laterally
arrayed engagement.
7. A device for familiarizing a child with musical concepts and with a
keyboard of a musical instrument embodying such concepts comprising:
at least one first block having a protruding lateral projection and a top
face with means for resembling at least one of the keys of a keyboard of
said musical instrument;
and a second block having a lateral indentation corresponding to and shaped
for removable engagement around the protruding lateral projection of the
first block for positioning the second block adjacently beside the first
block, and having a top face with means for resembling at least one of the
keys of a keyboard of said musical instrument.
8. The device of claim 7, wherein the means for resembling at least one of
the keys of a keyboard of a musical instrument on each of the top faces of
the first block and the second block comprises a white colored surface
resembling a white key of a piano keyboard.
9. The device of claim 8, wherein the means for resembling at least one of
the keys of a keyboard of a musical instrument on at least one of the top
faces comprises a raised finger-rib resembling a black key of a piano
keyboard.
10. The device of claim 8, wherein the means for resembling at least one of
the keys of a keyboard of a musical instrument on at least one of the top
faces comprises a raised finger-rib resembling a black key of a piano
keyboard.
11. A device for familiarizing a child with musical concepts and with a
keyboard of a musical instrument comprising:
a base having a primary-top surface and a raised projection extending
upward from the primary-top surface, and defined at least in part by a
closed-curve peripheral surface;
a first block and a second block, each block having a first-bottom face
shaped to rest on the primary top surface of the base and a second-top
face, wherein the first block has an indentation defined at least in part
by a closed-curved surface on the first-bottom face, the indentation
corresponding to and shaped for removable engagement over the raised
projection for positioning the first block on the base, and the second-top
faces of the first block and the second block each have a means for
resembling at least one of the keys of a keyboard of said musical
instrument.
12. The device of claim 11, wherein the means for resembling at least one
of the keys of a keyboard of said musical instrument on the second-top
faces comprises a white colored surface resembling a white key of a piano
keyboard.
13. The device of claim 11, wherein the means for resembling at least one
of the keys of a keyboard of said musical instrument on at least one of
the second-top faces comprises a raised finger-rib resembling a black key
of a piano keyboard.
14. The device of claim 11, further comprising indicia displayed on the
base and indicating the identification of notes of the musical instrument
for indicating the proper position of the first block and the second
block.
15. The device of claim 11, wherein the base has a raised rim-edge for
assisting in properly positioning the first block and the second block.
16. The device of claim 12, wherein the means for resembling at least one
of the keys of a keyboard of a musical instrument on each of the top faces
of the first block and the second block comprises a white colored surface
resembling a white key of a piano keyboard.
17. A device for familiarizing a child with musical concepts and with a
keyboard of a musical instrument comprising:
a first block having a protruding lateral projection with a peripheral
surface defined at least in part by a closed-curve, and having a top face
with means for resembling at least one of the keys of a keyboard of said
musical instrument;
and a second block having a lateral indentation corresponding to and shaped
for removable engagement around the protruding lateral projection of the
first block for positioning the second block adjacently beside the first
block, and having a top face with means for resembling at least one of the
keys of a keyboard of said musical instrument.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to devices for teaching a child,
and in particular to devices for familiarizing a child with a musical
instrument having a keyboard, as for example, a piano keyboard, and for
familiarizing a child with musical concepts.
2. Discussion of Related Art
In the prior art, it is known to use a chart and a set of dummy keys, some
of which resemble the white keys of a piano keyboard and some of which
resemble the black keys of a piano keyboard, to teach the arrangement and
names of the keys of a standard piano keyboard. The chart is marked with
the alphabetical names of the keys represented on the chart and the dummy
keys are marked with the alphabetical names and/or staff notations. The
chart is placed in an upright position on a piano keyboard by slipping the
chart into the space adjacent to the rear ends of the black keys of the
keyboard. Then the dummy keys are placed over the piano keyboard keys in
their proper position relative to the divisions on the chart.
Such devices are not well suited to the needs of young children since both
the keyboard and the chart are often unfamiliar to them. These devices
also require the dummy keys to be matched with the chart by placing the
dummy keys over the keyboard, thereby presenting the child with the
opportunity to press the keys of the keyboard instead of concentrating on
the proper placement of the dummy keys with respect to the chart.
It is also known in the prior art to color code interfitting dummy white
keys and dummy black keys. Color is added to the dummy keys so that dummy
keys of the same diatonic scale share the same color in order to teach a
music student the diatonic scales. While such devices may be appropriate
for some music students, such devices do not permit a young child to
easily and properly position the dummy keys since many keys will share the
same color. An inability to easily and properly position the dummy keys
may frustrate the young music student and thereby inhibit the child's
enthusiasm for learning.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to familiarize a
child with a musical instrument having a keyboard.
It is a further object of the present invention to familiarize a child with
musical concepts, for example the names of notes and how the notes are
represented, for example on musical staves.
Still another advantage of the present invention is that the device can be
easily transported and used where there is no keyboard.
Other advantages of the present invention include developing and improving
finger dexterity, spatial reasoning, hand-eye coordination, and
imagination, particularly with respect to associating tones with devices
for making tones.
The foregoing objective is realized by the present invention which
comprises a base having at least one raised projection and at least two
blocks, wherein each of the blocks has indicia resembling a keyboard of a
musical instrument.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent
to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description read
in conjunction with the attached drawings and claims appended hereto.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,
reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the device of the
present invention in its assembled form;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the device of the
present invention partially assembled;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the device of the
present invention in its disassembled form;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the first embodiment of the device
of the present invention taken along the line 4--4 shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a rear end view of three representative blocks shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a top view of one of the blocks shown in FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a rear end view of the block shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the device of the
present invention in its assembled form;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the device of the
present invention partially assembled;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the device of the
present invention in its disassembled form;
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view of the second embodiment of the
device of the present invention taken along the line 11--11 shown in FIG.
8;
FIG. 12 is a rear end view of three representative blocks according to a
third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 13 is a rear end view of a block shown in FIG. 12;
FIG. 14 is a side view of the block shown in FIG. 13;
FIG. 15 is a rear end view of a block shown in FIG. 12;
FIG. 16 is a side view of the block shown in FIG. 15;
FIG. 17 is a top view of the block shown in FIG. 16;
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a modification of the first embodiment of
the device of the present invention in its disassembled form showing
staves and notes on the base and the names of notes on the bottom faces of
the blocks; and
FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the device of the
present invention in its disassembled form showing the names of notes on
the base and on the bottom faces of the blocks.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIGS. 1-4 show a first embodiment of the device 10 of the present
invention, which comprises a base 14 and a plurality of blocks 22. The
base 14 has a primary-top surface 26 and a plurality of raised projections
18 extending upward from the primary-top surface 26. The base 14 may be
further comprised of indicia 30 indicating the alphabetical names or
musical staff representations of notes of the musical instrument for
indicating the proper position of the blocks 22. In addition, the base 14
may be further comprised of a raised rim-edge 34 for assisting in properly
positioning the blocks 22.
As shown in FIG. 2, each block 22 has a first-bottom face 38 and a
second-top face 54. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, on the first-bottom face 38
of some of the blocks 22, there are indentations 42, each indentation 42
corresponding to and shaped to fit over one of the raised projections 18
in the base 14. The indentations 42 may be comprised of a plurality of
flat surfaces or, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the indentations may be
comprised of a closed-curve surface, or both. Furthermore, the
indentations may be shaped to resemble numbers, letters, notes, notes on
staves, or treble and bass clef symbols. It should be noted that although
the blocks 22 depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3 have either no indentations or two
indentations 42 per block 22, each block 22 may have any number of
indentations.
Each block 22 has a second-top face 54 which resembles at least one of the
keys of a keyboard of a musical instrument. For example, as shown in FIG.
1, the second-top face 54 of the blocks 22 are each comprised of a white
surface 58 resembling a white key of a piano keyboard. The second-top face
54 may be further comprised of a raised finger-rib 62 resembling a black
key of a piano keyboard.
FIG. 4 depicts a representative block 66 of the first embodiment of the
present invention having a raised finger-rib 62 and white surface 58. As
shown in FIG. 5, the raised finger-rib 62 extends from the associated
white surface 58 and hangs over the white surface 58 of the adjacent block
70. The portion of the raised finger-rib 62 which hangs over the adjacent
white surface 58 fits within an indentation 74 in the white surface 58 of
adjacent block 70, which is best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7.
In FIGS. 8-11, there is shown a second embodiment of the present invention.
In FIGS. 8-11, features similar to features in FIGS. 1-7 are similarly
labeled with numbers having a "'" appended thereto. The second embodiment
is comprised of blocks 22', each of which have a first-bottom face 38',
and a second-top face 54'. In the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and
10, the first-bottom face 38' of each block 22' has two indentations 42',
each indentation 42' corresponding to and shaped to fit over one of the
raised projections 18' of the base 14'. An indentation 42' may be
comprised of a plurality of flat surfaces 46' and/or may be comprised of a
closed-curve surface 50'.
On the second-top face 54', the blocks 22' each have indicia resembling
more than two keys of a keyboard of a musical instrument, such as a piano.
In the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 8-11, such indicia are comprised
of raised finger-ribs 62' resembling the black keys of a piano keyboard,
and a white surface 58' disposed around the raised finger-ribs 62' for
resembling the white keys of a piano keyboard.
Although the base 14, 14' has been described as having raised projections
18, 18', and the blocks 22, 22' have been described as having indentations
42, 42', it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to
this arrangement. For example, the blocks 22, 22' may be formed to have
the projections 18, 18' and the base 14, 14' may have corresponding
indentations. Alternatively, some of the blocks 22, 22' may have
indentations 42, 42' and some of the blocks 22, 22' may have projections
18, 18' for fitting with the base 14, 14', which has both projections 18,
18' and indentations 42, 42' corresponding to the blocks 22, 22'. Finally,
some of the blocks 22, 22' may have both projections 18, 18' and
indentations 42, 42', and the base 14, 14', in such a case, would have
corresponding projections 18, 18' and indentations 42, 42'.
FIGS. 12-17 show a third embodiment of the present invention. In FIGS.
12-17 features which are similar to features depicted in FIGS. 1-11 are
similarly labeled with numbers having a """ appended thereto. In the third
embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIGS. 12-17, a first
representative block 66" has an indentation 42" on mating side 77. A
second representative block 70" has raised projections 18" for fitting and
holding in the proper position the block 66" to relative to block 70". By
placing indentations 42" and projections 18" on the mating sides 77 of the
blocks 66", 70", the third embodiment of the present invention can be
assembled without the base 14, 14' (shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 8-11). Although
representative blocks 66", 70" are shown having either indentations 42" or
projections 18", it should be noted that a block may have both an
indentation 42" and a projection 18". As in the first and second
embodiments described above, the indentations 42" and projections 18" may
be comprised of a plurality of flat surfaces and/or a closed-curve
surface.
FIGS. 18 and 19 show the first embodiment of the present invention having
indicia on the base 14 and the blocks 22. The indicia on the base 14 is
depicted in FIG. 18 as comprising staves 81 with notes 84 on the staves
81. Although FIG. 18 depicts the present invention wherein some of the
notes 84 on the staves 81 correspond with some of the raised projections
18, the raised projections 18 need not correspond with the notes 84. As
shown in FIG. 18, the blocks 22 have indicia comprising the names 87 of
the notes represented on the base 14. The indicia on the base 14 and the
blocks 22 can be used to assist the music student with properly
positioning the blocks 22 by matching a note 84 with the corresponding
name 87.
As shown in FIG. 19, the indicia on the base 14 may be comprised of the
names 87 of notes. In such an embodiment, the names 87 on the base 14 are
matched with the names 87 on the blocks 22 in order to assist the music
student with properly positioning the blocks 22 on the base 14.
It should be apparent that the indicia depicted in FIGS. 18 and 19 can be
used also with the second and third embodiments described herein.
It will now be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present
invention provides a means for familiarizing a child with the keyboard of
a musical instrument which does not require the use of the keyboard itself
or a chart. Furthermore, the present invention provides means for
assisting a music student with properly and easily placing the blocks in
the correct position relative to one another, thereby fostering an
enthusiasm for learning and an interest in learning to play a musical
instrument. In addition, the present invention can assist in developing
and improving finger dexterity, spatial reasoning, hand-eye coordination,
and imagination, particularly with respect to associating tones with
devices for making tones. Finally, the present invention provides means
for familiarizing a child with musical concepts, such as the names of
notes and how notes are represented on the treble and bass clefs.
Although the present invention has been described with respect to one or
more particular embodiments of the device, it will be understood that
other embodiments of the present invention may be made without departing
from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Hence, the present
invention is deemed limited only by the appended claims and the reasonable
interpretation thereof.
Top